Picture codec and teleconference terminal equipment

ABSTRACT

In a teleconference terminal equipment; a picture codec for simultaneously displaying a still picture and video on a single screen, comprising an analog-to-digital converter which converts a picture signal into digital picture data, a picture-in-picture processor which is supplied with the digital picture data as self-picture data of the terminal equipment, a video decoder or a still picture decoder which decodes input picture data and delivers the decoded data to the P-in-P processor, and a digital-to-analog converter which is supplied with picture data for forming a P-in-P frame, having been produced from the self-picture data and the decoded data by the P-in-P processor, and which converts the supplied picture data into an analog signal and delivers the analog signal as an output.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/509,591, filed Jul.31, 1995; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/913,402,filed Jul. 15, 1992 and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/384,955, filed Feb. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,727; which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 07/838,348, filed Feb. 20, 1992,now U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,269.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a teleconference system which makes itpossible to hold an audio and video meeting between distant placesconnected by a communications network.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A prior-art equipment for a teleconference system is constructed bycombining independent devices such as a display unit, a codec, a camera,a microphone and a console. In some cases, a document camera, anelectronic blackboard and a small-sized computer are further combined inaccordance with functions required for conferences.

Moreover, since such a prior-art teleconference equipment constructed bycombining the independent devices is large in scale, a teleconferenceroom for exclusive use is usually required for the teleconference. Onthe other hand, there is also an equipment for a teleconference systemwherein fundamental devices are housed in a single rack so as to bemovable, thereby dispensing with the need for a conference room forexclusive use.

In the teleconference system thus constructed, ordinarily still picturesand video can be exchanged between the terminals of the system.

Techniques relevant to the teleconference equipments are disclosed inthe official gazettes of Japanese Patent Applications Laid-open No.39790/1990 and No. 22989/1990.

In addition, Japanese Patent Applications concerning teleconferencesystems filed by the assignee of the present application are PatentApplications Laid-open Nos. 120889/1992 and 166884/1991, and PatentApplications Nos. 406984/1990, 25987/1991, 25991/1991, 174025/1991,174046/1991, 174031/1991, 34009/1991 and 27086/1991.

Meanwhile, in the prior-art equipment for the teleconference system, thecodec includes an A/D (analog-to-digital) converter and a D/A(digital-to-analog) converter for each of a still picture and video, andthe still picture display and video display of a display unit arechanged-over by switching a still picture signal and a motion picturesignal which are delivered from the two D/A converters.

Alternatively, the simultaneous display of the still pictures and videois realized by delivering the still picture and motion picture signalsto two separate display units, respectively.

With the method wherein the still picture display and the video displayare changed-over, the conversation of the pertinent communicatingterminal with the opposite terminal is not conveyed smoothly on accountof a complicated switching operation, etc.

On the other hand, with the method wherein the still picture signal andthe motion picture signal are respectively displayed on the separatedisplay units, these two display units are necessitated to render theterminal equipment large in size. Besides, while the user of theequipment is watching the still picture, his/her eyes shift widely andare inevitably averted from the opposite communicating person.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide ateleconference equipment in which a still picture and video can besimultaneously displayed on a single display screen.

In the prior-art teleconference system, the teleconference room forexclusive use needs to be prepared as stated before, so that theintroduction of the teleconference system involves a heavy financialburden. Moreover, when holding the teleconference, conferees must moveto the teleconference room which is inconvenient.

In this regard, even the portable teleconference equipment needs to bemoved by several people on account of the size and weight thereof andcannot be used with ease.

Because of such circumstances, there has been a great demand in recentyears for the ability to hold a teleconference more conveniently andmore readily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide adesktop type teleconference equipment which is small in size and whichis easily portable.

In order to accomplish the objects, according to the present invention,there is provided a picture codec to which an analog picture signal,coded still picture data for playback and coded motion picture data forplayback are input, and from which coded picture data obtained by codingthe input analog picture signal and an analog picture signal obtained bydecoding either of the input coded still picture data for playback andcoded motion picture data for playback are output, the picture codecomprises an analog-to-digital converter which converts the input analogpicture signal into digital picture data, a still picture coder whichcodes the digital picture data produced by the analog-to-digitalconverter, so as to deliver coded still picture data, a video coderwhich codes the digital picture data produced by the analog-todigitalconverter, so as to deliver coded motion picture data, a selector whichselects either of the coded motion picture data delivered from the videocoder and the coded still picture data delivered from the still picturecoder, and which delivers the selected picture data as the output codedpicture data, a still picture decoder which decodes the input codedstill picture data for playback, into decoded still picture data, avideo decoder which decodes the input coded motion picture data forplayback, into decoded motion picture data, a picture-in-pictureprocessor which generates picture-in-picture frame data on the basis ofthe decoded still picture data delivered from the still picture decoder,the decoded motion picture data delivered from the video decoder and thedigital picture data delivered from the analog-to-digital converter, thepicture-in-picture frame data forming a picture-in-picture frame whichconcerns at least two of the decoded still picture data, the decodedmotion picture data and the digital picture data and a digital-to-analogconverter which converts the picture-in-picture frame data generated bythe picture-in-picture processor, into the output analog picture signal,and which delivers the output analog picture signal.

Further, there is provided a teleconference terminal equipment whichcomprises the picture codec as defined in the above paragraph, acommunication control unit which transmits either of the coded stillpicture data and the coded motion picture data delivered from thepicture codec, through a digital communication channel, and whichreceives either of the coded still picture data for playback and thecoded motion picture data for playback through the digital communicationchannel and then delivers the received picture data to the picturecodec, a camera which delivers the analog picture signal to the picturecodec and a display unit which displays a picture indicated by theoutput analog picture signal of the picture codec.

Owing to the construction of the picture codec, a still picture andvideo can be simultaneously displayed on a single screen.

Moreover, the teleconference terminal equipment is small in size and iseasily portable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general arrangement of ateleconference terminal equipment according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a picture codecwhich is included in the teleconference terminal equipment of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a PinP (Picture inPicture) processor which is included in the teleconference terminalequipment of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the aspects of a PinP processwhich is performed in the teleconference terminal equipment of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a G3-FAX (group 3type facsimile) interface which is included in the teleconferenceterminal equipment of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the construction of a cameracontrol/external device multiconnector which is included in theteleconference terminal equipment of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the construction of a V11/RS422multiconnector which is included in the teleconference terminalequipment of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are a perspective view and a rear view,respectively, showing the external appearance of the teleconferenceterminal equipment of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the construction of ateleconference system according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of the constructionof the teleconference system of the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing still another example of theconstruction of the teleconference system of the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing yet another example of theconstruction of the teleconference system of the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a further example of the constructionof the teleconference system of the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the construction and servicesituation of a teleconference system according to the second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an exterior view showing the construction of the firstteleconference terminal equipment according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are a side view and a sectional view, respectively, ofthe first teleconference terminal equipment of the second embodiment;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are exterior views showing the construction of thesecond teleconference terminal equipment according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are a sectional view and a side view, respectively, ofthe second teleconference terminal equipment of the second embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an exterior view showing the construction of the thirdteleconference terminal equipment according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are an exterior view and an explanatory view,respectively, showing the construction of the fourth teleconferenceterminal equipment according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of theteleconference terminal equipment of the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing the external construction of acontrol keyboard according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are a block diagram and a schematic diagram,respectively, showing the internal construction of the control keyboardof the second embodiment;

FIG. 24 is an exterior view showing the construction of the firstdocument photographing stand according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 25A and 25B are a side view and a rear view, respectively, of thefirst document photographing stand of the second embodiment;

FIGS. 26A, 26B and 26C are exterior views showing the construction ofthe second document photographing stand according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is an exterior view showing the construction of the thirddocument photographing stand according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing the situation of a minor framedisplay in the teleconference terminal equipment of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing messages which are displayedon a monitor screen in the teleconference terminal equipment of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing graphic user interfaces whichare offered by the teleconference terminal equipment of the secondembodiment;

FIGS. 31A, 31B, 31C and 31D are a front view, a rear view, a plan viewand a bottom view, respectively, of the first teleconference terminalequipment of the second embodiment;

FIGS. 32A and 32B are a right side view and a left side view,respectively, of the first teleconference terminal equipment of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the control keyboard of the secondembodiment;

FIGS. 34A, 34B and 34C are a front view, a plan view and a bottom view,respectively, of the control keyboard of the second embodiment;

FIGS. 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E and 35F are, respectively, a right sideview, a left side view, a rear view, a schematic sectional view takenalong line A-A' in FIG. 34A, a schematic sectional view taken along lineB-B' in FIG. 34B and a schematic sectional view taken along line C-C' inFIG. 34B;

FIGS. 36A, 36B, 36C and 36D are a front view, a right side view, a planview and a bottom view, respectively, of the document photographingstand of the second embodiment;

FIGS. 37A and 37B are a rear view and a left side view, respectively, ofthe document photographing stand of the second embodiment; and

FIGS. 38A, 38B and 38C are a front view, a right side view and a planview, showing the folded state of the document photographing stand ofthe. second embodiment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Now, the first embodiment of a teleconference terminal equipmentaccording to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 illustrates the functional block arrangement of theteleconference terminal equipment in this embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the teleconference terminal equipment of thisembodiment comprises a camera 1, an LCD (liquid-crystal display) 2, dialfunction keys 3, a VSW (video switch) 4, a picture codec 5, a telephonecontrol man-machine interface 6, a multipoint conversation control 7, amultimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal controlunit 8, a network interface and communications network control unit 9, aD/R (driver) 10, a VDT (voltage detector) 11, an audio codec 12, an ASW(audio switch) 13, a hands-free set 14, a handset 15, a G3-FAX interface16, a V11 D/R 17, an RS422 D/R 18, an RS232C D/R 19, a datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20, a communication interface matching section21, a bus SW (switch) 22, communication ports 23˜25, a control unit 26,peripheral device control interfaces 27˜28, and a no-voltage contact 31.

In addition, as external input/output terminals, the teleconferenceterminal equipment comprises a video I/O interface 110, an audio I/Ointerface 109, a microphone input 108, a G3-FAX modular jack 107, aV11/RS422 multiconnector 106, an RS232C connector 105, a mouse jack 104,a conference console connector 103, and a camera control and externaldevice multiconnector 101.

The network interface and communications network control unit 9 isconnected to a digital communications network through the D/R 10, and itperforms the communication controls and communication processing betweenthe teleconference terminal equipment and the network, such asestablishing a communication channel with the opposite communicatingterminal equipment. The multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing andinterterminal signal control unit 8 performs various controls betweenthe pertinent terminal equipment and the opposite terminal equipment.Besides, this control unit 8 demultiplexes video data, audio data, datato be multiplexed/demultiplexed, control data, etc. from within areceived communication frame into the individual data types, and itmultiplexes such types of data into a transmission communication frame.The video data mentioned above is interface data on the network side ofthe picture codec 5, while the audio data is interface data on thenetwork side of the audio codec 12. The data to bemultiplexed/demultiplexed is interface data with respect to the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20. The control data is transferred betweenthe control unit 8 and the control unit 6.

The data multiplexor/demultiplexor 20 further demultiplexes the datademultiplexed from within the received communication frame by themultimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal controlunit 8, into individual data types in accordance with protocolsstipulated with the opposite communicating terminal equipmentbeforehand.

Specifically, in a case where a frame stipulated in ConsultativeCommittee on International Telephone and Telegraph (CCITT)Recommendation H. 221 is taken as the communication frame, themultimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal controlunit 8 transfers FAS or BAS data within the frame to and from thecontrol unit 26, audio data to and from the audio codec 12, video datain, e. g., a frame stipulated in CCITT Recommendation H. 261 publishedJanuary 1990 to and from the picture codec 5, and datato-be-multiplexed/demultiplexed to and from the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20. Besides, in a case where MLP data iscontained in the frame stipulated in Recommendation H. 221, it istransferred between the control unit 8 and either the control unit 26 orthe data multiplexor/demultiplexor 20 under the control of the controlunit 26.

Herein, the data multiplexor/demultiplexor 20 demultiplexes the datato-be-demultiplexed into G3-FAX data, computer data, various controldata, etc. in accordance with the protocols stipulated with the oppositecommunicating terminal equipment beforehand, and it delivers thedemultiplexed data items to the G3-FAX modular jack 107, V11/RS422multiconnector 106 and RS232C connector 105. Contrariwise, the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20 multiplexes the data to-be-multiplexeddelivered from the G3-FAX modular jack 107, V11/RS422 multiconnector 106and RS232C connector 105 and delivers the multiplexed data items to themultimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal controlunit 8.

In the case of holding a multipoint teleconference, the multipointconversation control 7 performs controls required for the start andproceeding of the multipoint teleconference. In contrast, in the case ofholding no multipoint teleconference, the control 7 merely relays data.The VDT 11 is a means for detecting the feed voltage of the pertinentterminal equipment.

The camera 1 picks up a picture, which is presented as a display outputby the LCD 2. The VSW 4 is a video switch which changes-over theconnection of the picture codec 5 with the camera 1, LCD 2 and video I/Ointerface 110. The video input/output of an external video I/O devicecan be connected with the video I/O interface 110.

The picture codec 5 codes a picture signal supplied through the VSW 4,and delivers the coded signal to the multimediamultiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit 8through the multipoint conversation control 7. In addition, the picturecodec 5 decodes the video data demultiplexed from the receivedcommunication frame by the control unit 8 and delivers an output throughthe VSW 4.

The hands-free set 14 is a microphone and a loudspeaker for freeinghands. The G3-FAX interface 16 is a modular jack to which a group 3 typefacsimile can be connected. The audio input/output of an external audioI/O device can be connected to the audio I/O interface 109. An externalmicrophone can be connected to the microphone input 108.

The ASW 13 is an audio switch which changes-over the connection of theaudio codec 12 with the hands-free set 14, handset 15, G3-FAX interface16, audio I/O interface 109 and microphone input 108.

The audio codec 12 codes a speech signal supplied through the ASW 13,and delivers the coded signal to the multimediamultiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit 8through the multipoint conversation control 7. In addition, the audiocodec 12 decodes the audio data demultiplexed from the receivedcommunication frame by the control unit 8 and delivers an output throughthe ASW 13. Incidentally, the audio codec 12 is connected to theV11/RS422 multiconnector 106 through the V11 D/R 17.

The dial function keys 3 are keys for accepting the instructions of auser. The telephone control man-machine interface 6 controls the ASW 13in accordance with a key input from the dial function keys 3, so as toconnect the audio codec 12 with the hands-free set 14, handset 15,G3-FAX interface 16 or microphone input 108. Besides, the instructionbased on the key input is transferred to the multipoint conversationcontrol 7 through the telephone control man-machine interface 6. Inresponse to this instruction, the multipoint conversation control 7controls the multipoint teleconference.

The G3-FAX interface 16 delivers a signal to-be-transmitted suppliedfrom the G3-FAX (group 3 type facsimile) being an analog FAX connectedto the G3-FAX connector 107, to the audio codec 12 through the ASW 13 inthe case of treating the FAX data as audio data, while it digitizes thesignal to-be-transmitted into a code and delivers the code to the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20 in the case of treating the FAX data asdata to-be-multiplexed. Contrariwise, when supplied with received datatoward the G3-FAX by the audio codec 12, the G3-FAX interface 16supplies the G3-FAX modular jack 107 with the received data as it is,and when supplied with received data toward the G3-FAX by the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20, the G3-FAX interface 16 decodes thereceived data into an analog signal and delivers the analog signal tothe G3-FAX modular jack 107.

The RS232C connector 105 serves as an RS232C interface, and it is aconnector to which a computer, a word processor or an electronicblackboard can be connected. This RS232C connector 105 is connected tothe control unit 26 or the data multiplexor/demultiplexor 20 through thebus SW 22. The communication interface matching section 21 matches thedata rate of the input/output data of the data multiplexor/demultiplexor20 with that of the input/output data of the RS232C interface 105. Thecommunication ports 24 and 25 are ones which the control unit 26 uses inrelation to the RS232C interface 105.

The V11/RS422 multiconnector 106 serves as a V11 interface and an RS422interface, and it is a connector for connecting an external device. Inthis embodiment, an example in which a conference unit is connected willbe described later.

The multiconnector 106 as the RS422 interface is connected to thecontrol unit 26 through the bus SW 22. The communication port 23 is onewhich the control unit 26 uses in relation to the RS422 interface 106.The multiconnector 106 as the V11 interface is connected to the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20.

In compliance with the commands of the control unit 26, the peripheraldevice control interfaces 27 and 28 control the various components inthe teleconference terminal equipment, a mouse connected to the mousejack 104, and a conferential console connected to the conference consoleconnector 103. Also, they control an external device such as externalcamera through the camera control/external device multiconnector 101.

Incidentally, the camera control/external device multiconnector 101transfers the command of the control unit 26 to the external device bymeans of the no-voltage contact 31.

The details of the picture codec 5 will be explained below.

FIG. 2 illustrates the construction of the picture codec 5.

Referring to the figure, the picture codec 5 includes an A/D(analog-to-digital) converter 200, a video coder 201, a still picturecoder 202, a variable-length coder 203, a BCH(Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem code unit) 204, a PinP (picture-in-picture)processor 205, a video decoder 206, a D/A (digital-to-analog) converter220, a still picture decoder 207, a variable-length decoder 208, a BCH209, and video switches 210, 211, 212, 213, 214 and 215.

Thus, in this embodiment, a still picture and video are treated, but thesignals thereof are digitized by the single A/D converter 200. This isbased on the fact that the still picture and the video are not usuallytransmitted at the same time on account of the limited transmissioncapacity of a communication channel employed in a digital communicationsnetwork. That is, in order to quickly send the still picture of largedata quantity to the opposite communicating terminal equipment, thetransmission of the video is usually suspended during that of the stillpicture.

Besides, in this embodiment, a still picture and video which have beenreceived are displayed in a multiplexed state within an identical framethrough the PinP processor 205 to be detailed later, thereby making itmore convenient for use. Moreover, the still pictures and video aremultiplexed into the identical frame before analogizing the signals ofthe respective pictures, whereby the single D/A converter 220 sufficesfor turning the picture data of both the pictures into analog signals.

Next, the operation of the picture codec 5 will be explained.

When supplied with a picture signal through the VSW 4, the A/D converter200 converts the picture signal into a digital signal. Incidentally,although an NTSC signal is assumed as the picture signal to-be-input inthis embodiment, even a signal conforming to another standard such asPAL or RGB can be similarly processed. The digitized picture data istransferred to the PinP processor 205 as the picture data of thepertinent terminal equipment itself.

Under the control of the peripheral device control interface 27, thevideo switches 210 and 211 deliver the digitized picture data to eitherthe video coder 201 or the still picture coder 202, depending uponwhether the input picture signal is for a still picture or video.

The video coder 201 codes the delivered picture data in accordance withcode rules based on the DCT (discrete cosine transform) stipulated inCCITT Recommendation H. 261. Also, the still picture coder 202 codes thedelivered picture data in accordance with predetermined code rules. Whensupplied with the coded picture data through the video switch 212 fromeither the video coder 201 or the still picture coder 202, thevariable-length coder 203 turns the supplied image data into avariable-length code in accordance with variable-length code rulesstipulated in CCITT Recommendation H. 261. When supplied with thevariable-length code of the image data from the variable-length coder203, the BCH 204 adds BCH data for error correction to the supplied codeinto video data and transfers the video data to the multimediamultiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit 8through the multipoint conversation control 7.

On the other hand, when the BCH 209 is supplied with video data or stillpicture data through the multipoint conversation control 7 from themultimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal controlunit 8, it checks BCH data for error correction and delivers theerror-corrected video data or still picture data to the variable-lengthdecoder 208. This variable-length decoder 208 decodes the deliveredpicture data in accordance with the variable-length code rulesstipulated in CCITT Recommendation H. 261. The data decoded by thevariable-length decoder 208 is transferred to either the video decoder206 or the still picture decoder 207 through the video switch 215,depending upon whether it is the video data or the still picture data.When supplied with the video data decoded by the variable-length decoder208, the video decoder 206 decodes it in accordance with the code rulesstipulated in CCITT Recommendation H. 261. Also, when supplied with thestill picture data decoded by the variable-length decoder 208, the stillpicture decoder 207 decodes it in accordance with predetermined coderules such as code rules conforming to the JPEG (Joint PhotographicExpert Group) algorithm of the ISO (International Organization ofStandardization) Standard published March 1991. The picture data decodedby video decoder 206 or still picture decoder 207 is transferred asreceived motion picture data or received still picture data to the PinPprocessor 205 through the corresponding video switch 213 or 214.

If necessary, the PinP processor 205 performs a PinP process to bedescribed later, by the use of the image data of the pertinent terminalequipment itself transferred from the A/D converter 200 and the imagedata decoded by the video decoder 206 or the still picture decoder 207,and it supplies the D/A converter 220 with the resulting image datawhich has been subjected to the PinP process. The D/A converter 220converts the supplied image data into an analog signal, which isdelivered to the video switch 4.

Then, the picture signal is presented as a display output on the LCD 2or the like in accordance with the operation of the video switch 4.

Next, the details of the PinP processor 205 will be explained.

FIG. 3 illustrates the construction of the PinP processor 205.

Referring to the figure, the PinP processor 205 includes a self-pictureframe memory 301, a still-picture frame memory 302, a video frame memory303, MUX'es (multiplexors) 305, 306 and 307, a major-frame addressgenerator 308, a minor-frame address generator 309, a display frametiming controller 310, and a MUX 311.

Next, the PinP process which is performed by the PinP processor 205 willbe explained with reference to FIG. 4.

The "PinP process" is a process for producing a picture-in-picture framefrom a plurality of pictures. That is, it is a process for multiplexingand outputting two picture data in order that different output picturesmay be displayed in a major frame area and a minor frame area asillustrated in FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, the two picture data are selected from among thethree picture data of the self-picture data transferred from the A/Dconverter 200, the received still picture data transferred from thestill picture decoder 207 and the received motion picture datatransferred from the video decoder 206, and they are multiplexed andoutput so as to be displayed in the major and minor frame areas. In thecase where, in this manner, the PinP process is carried out by selectingtwo from the three picture data of the self-picture data, received stillpicture data and received motion picture data, six types ofpicture-in-picture frames can be produced as shown at symbols (a)˜(f) inFIG. 4.

The PinP process of the PinP processor 205 proceeds as stated below.

The self-picture frame memory 301 stores the transferred self-picturedata therein. The still-picture frame memory 302 stores the receivedstill picture data therein. The video frame memory 303 stores thereceived motion picture data therein. The contents of the individualframe memories are sequentially updated.

The major-frame address generator 308 generates addresses for fetchingthe data of a picture to be displayed in the major frame area, indisplay sequence from the frame memory in which the picture data arestored. While the major-frame address generator 308 is generating thedata addresses of the above picture corresponding to the major framearea, the minor-frame address generator 309 generates in parallel withthe address generation of the generator 308, addresses for fetching thedata of a picture to be displayed in the minor frame area, in displaysequence from the frame memory in which the picture data are stored. Onthis occasion, the address generation timings of the minor-frame addressgenerator 309 are controlled by the display timing controller 310.Besides, the picture to be displayed in the minor frame area must bereduced in size as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the minor-frame addressgenerator 309 generates skipped addresses in accordance with a reductionrate so as to thin out pixels and then fetch the picture data from theframe memory.

Herein, the addresses generated by the major-frame address generator 308are afforded through the corresponding MUX 305, 306 or 307 to the framememory 301, 302 or 303 in which the picture data to be displayed in themajor frame area are stored. Likewise, the addresses generated by theminor-frame address generator 309 are afforded through the correspondingMUX 305, 306 or 307 to the frame memory 301, 302 or 303 in which thepicture data to be displayed in the minor frame area are stored.

While the minor-frame address generator 309 is generating theaforementioned addresses corresponding to the minor frame area, the MUX311 selects and delivers the picture data fetched from the frame memoryin which the picture data to be displayed in the minor frame area arestored. At any other time, the MUX 311 selects and delivers the picturedata fetched from the frame memory in which the picture data to bedisplayed in the major frame area are stored. A change-over timing forthese operation modes of the MUX 311 is controlled by the display timingcontroller 310.

Incidentally, the frame memories of the PinP processor 205 may well beshared for frame memories which the video coder 201, still picture coder202, video decoder 206 and still picture decoder 207 use for the codingand the decoding.

Next, the details of the G3-FAX interface 16 will be explained.

FIG. 5 illustrates the construction of the G3-FAX interface 16.

Referring to the figure, the interface 16 includes a hybrid 501, a routeSW (switch) 502, a codec 503 for the facsimile, and a FAXsending/receiving call control 504.

When the FAX sending/receiving call control 504 is informed of thereception of G3-FAX data through the peripheral device control interface27 by the control unit 26, it applies a ringer signal to the G3-FAXmodular jack 107. In addition, the FAX sending/receiving call control504 detects the off-hook or on-hook condition of the G3-FAX connectedwith the G3-FAX modular jack 107 and reports the detected condition tothe control unit 26 through the peripheral device control interface 27.Besides, if necessary, the control 504 reports the content of dialing inthe G3-FAX connected with the G3-FAX modular jack 107, to the controlunit 26 through the peripheral device control interface 27.

The hybrid 501 matches the half-duplex interface of the G3-FAX modularjack 107 with the full-duplex interface of the route SW side. In a casewhere the route SW 502 has been informed to the effect of treating theG3-FAX data as data to-be-multiplexed, through the peripheral devicecontrol interface 27 by the control unit 26, it connects the hybrid 501to the audio codec 12. In consequence, the audio codec 12 codes the datasent by the connected G3-FAX and transfers the coded data as audio datato the multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signalcontrol unit 8 through the multipoint conversation control 7.

On the other hand, in a case where the route SW 502 has been informed tothe effect of treating the G3-FAX data as audio data, through theperipheral device control interface 27 by the control unit 26, itconnects the hybrid 501 to the codec 503 for the FAX. The FAX codec 503codes the sent data of the connected G3-FAX in accordance with the μ/Arules, the ADPCM or the like, and transfers the coded data as datato-be-multiplexed to the multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing andinterterminal signal control unit 8 through the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20.

In this manner, according to this embodiment, the ordinary G3-FAX can beconnected to the teleconference terminal equipment and then used withoutaltering the interface thereof. Furthermore, the G3-FAX data is codedusing the FAX codec 503 and then treated as the data to-be-multiplexed,whereby a telephone conversation is possible with the audio codec 12even during communications with the G3-FAX.

Next, the camera control/external device multiconnector 101 will beexplained.

The teleconference terminal equipment according to this embodiment canhave an external camera, an external monitor, an externalmicrophone/external loudspeaker, etc. connected thereto by the video I/Ointerface 110, the audio I/O interface 109, the microphone input 108,etc.

The camera control/external device multiconnector 101 is a connector forcontrolling the external camera as well as illumination therefor, andthe external microphone among the aforementioned external I/O devices.The control employing this multiconnector 101 is realized in such a waythat the control unit 26 controls the no-voltage contact such as therelay contact 31 in compliance with an instruction from the dialfunction keys 3, an instruction from the console connected to theconference console connector 103, or control data received from theopposite communicating terminal equipment and transferred through themultimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal controlunit 8. Incidentally, in the case stated before where the framestipulated in CCITT Recommendation H. 221 is presumed as thecommunication frame, the control unit 26 receives the control data inthe form of the FAS, BAS or MLP data from the opposite communicatingterminal equipment and controls the no-voltage contact 31 in accordancewith the received control data.

FIG. 6 illustrates the construction of the camera control/ externaldevice multiconnector 101. As shown in the figure, the multiconnector101 contains the signals of spare 613; zooming 612, 611; focusing 610,609; illumination 608; wiper 607; panning 606, 605; tilting 604, 603;camera/microphone changing-over 602, 601; and power source 600.

Using these signals, the control unit 26 can control the zooming andfocusing of the external camera, and the illumination, a wiper, andpanning and tilting for the external camera, through the cameracontrol/external device multiconnector 101. Also, it can control thechange-over between the camera and the microphone, and the turn-ON/OFFof the power source of any desired external device through themulticonnector 101.

Next, the V11/RS422 multiconnector 106 will be explained.

The V11/RS422 multiconnector 106 is a connector which includes a V11interface and an RS422 interface.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the conference unit to bedescribed later is connected to the V11/RS422 multiconnector 106.

The RS422 interface within the V11/RS422 multiconnector 106 is connectedwith the control unit 26 through the communication port 23. The controlunit 26 transfers control data to and from the conference unit by theuse of the RS422 interface.

The V11 interface within the V11/RS422 multiconnector 106 is connectedto the data multiplexor/demultiplexor 20 and the audio codec 12. On thebasis of the control of the control unit 26, the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20 demultiplexes control data and datato-be-demultiplexed supplied from the multimediamultiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit 8, andit delivers the resulting data to the V11 interface. Contrariwise, thedata multiplexor/demultiplexor 20 multiplexes control data and datato-be-multiplexed delivered from the V11 interface, with FAX data etc.delivered from the G3-FAX interface 16, and it supplies the resultingdata to the multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminalsignal control unit 8. Incidentally, in the case of employing theaforementioned H. 221 frame as the communication frame, MPL data can beused as the control data.

Herein, the data which is delivered from the datamultiplexor/demultiplexor 20 to the V11 interface is in the form of theactual burst data demultiplexed and extracted from the communicationframe. Likewise, the data which is delivered from the V11 interface tothe data multiplexor/demultiplexor 20 is burst data having the sametransfer rate as that of data contained in the communication frame.

As stated above, in this embodiment, the data area and control data areaof the communication frame can be opened to the exterior as they are.Accordingly, the V11 interface can freely utilize the predetermined dataarea or control data area contained in the communication frame.

Here, FIG. 7 illustrates the construction of the V11/RS422multiconnector 106.

Referring to the figure, parts 700˜702 constitute the RS422 interface,and parts 703˜710 the V11 interface.

The RS422 interface includes the lines of transmission data 700,reception data 701 and a transfer clock 702. The V11 interface includesthe lines of sending data 703, a sending burst clock 704 synchronizedwith sending burst data, a sending frame sink 705, receiving data 706, areceiving burst clock 707 synchronized with receiving burst data, areceiving frame sink 708, and two types of basic clocks 709, 710.

Next, the external appearance of the teleconference terminal equipmentaccording to this embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b).

FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the terminal equipment seen obliquelyfrom the front thereof, while FIG. 8(b) is a rear view of the essentialportions thereof showing the arrangement of connectors.

Now, the constructions of teleconference systems each of which employsthe teleconference terminal equipment according to this embodiment willbe described with reference to FIG. 9 thru FIG. 13. In these figures,numeral 1000 indicates the teleconference terminal equipment.

FIG. 9 shows the teleconference system which is suitable for thepersonal telephonic communications between one person and another, FIG.10 shows the teleconference system which is suitable for ateleconference among a small number of people, FIG. 11 shows theteleconference system of simplified type which is used for ateleconference, FIG. 12 shows the teleconference system which issuitable for a regular teleconference, and FIG. 13 shows theteleconference system which is suitable for a larger teleconference.

As seen from the figures, according to the teleconference systems inthis embodiment, a G3-FAX 900, a computer 901 such as a personalcomputer or word processor, a camera 903, a monitor 904, a microphone905, a camera pan-tilter 906, a conference console 907, etc. can beconnected by the video I/O interface 110, audio I/O interface 109,microphone input 108, G3-FAX modular jack 107, V11/RS422 multiconnector106, RS232C connector 105, mouse jack 104, conference console connector103, and camera control/external device multiconnector 101. Thus, theteleconference systems can be flexibly constructed in accordance withintended uses.

In particular, according to the teleconference system in thisembodiment, the external interface based on the digital data of theaudio codec 12 is included in the V11/R422 multiconnector 106 as statedbefore. As shown in FIG. 12, therefore, a digital echo canceler 1200 ofhigh performance can be disposed outside if it is need.

As shown in FIG. 13, a G3-FAX 900, data processing devices 901 such as apersonal computer or word processor and an electronic blackboard, acamera 903, a monitor 904, microphones 905, a camera pan-tilter 906, aconference console 907, etc. may well be connected through a conferenceunit 1300 so as to realize higher degrees of conference functions.

As shown in FIG. 13, the conference unit 1300 includes a videocontroller 1301, an audio controller 1302, a unit controller 1303, avideo processor 1305 and a power source unit 1306. The video controller1301 is connected to the video I/O interface 110 of the teleconferencesystem. The audio controller 1302, unit controller 1303 and videoprocessor 1305 are connected with the V11/RS422 multiconnector 106 ofthe teleconference system through the unshown data interface unitthereof.

The unit controller 1303 controls any of the constituents of theconference unit 1300 in compliance with an instruction from theconference console 907, an instruction from the control unit 26 of theteleconference system as delivered through the RS422 interface, orcontrol data received through the V11 interface from the oppositecommunicating terminal equipment. In addition, the unit controller 1303transfers data received through the V11 interface from tire oppositecommunicating terminal equipment, between this V11 interface and thedata processing devices 901 such as the personal computer or wordprocessor and the electronic blackboard.

The video controller 1301 and the still picture processor control thechange-over between the camera and the monitor, for example, which areconnected to the video I/O interface 110 of the teleconference system.The audio controller 1302 controls the change-over between themicrophone and the loudspeaker, for example, which are connected to theaudio codec 12 of the teleconference system through the V11 interface.In addition, the audio controller 1302 performs an echo cancelingprocess as may be needed. The video processor 1305 performs the controlof the camera pan-tilter 906.

In this manner, according to the teleconference system of thisembodiment, the pertinent terminal equipment can communicate with theconference unit connected to the opposite communicating terminalequipment through the mutual direct controls which are performed by theuse of the data area and the control data area opened to the externaldevices as stated before.

As thus far described, according to the first embodiment, it is possibleto provide the teleconference system in which the still picture and thevideo can be simultaneously displayed on the single screen.

Now, the second embodiment of a teleconference terminal equipmentaccording to the present invention will be described.

First, FIG. 14 illustrates the construction of a teleconference systemwhich employs the teleconference terminal equipment according to thisembodiment.

Referring to the figure, the embodiment includes the teleconferenceterminal equipment 2001 connected to a digital communications network, acontrol keyboard 2002, microphones 2003, a document photographing stand2004, an electronic blackboard 2005 and a video tape recorder 2006.

The illustrated teleconference system is fundamentally configured of theteleconference terminal equipment 2001, the control keyboard 2002connected to the teleconference terminal equipment 2001, and themicrophones. 2003 connected to the teleconference terminal equipment2001 through the control keyboard 2002. If necessary, the system isadditionally furnished with the document photographing stand 2004,electronic blackboard 2005 and video tape recorder 2006 by connectingthem to the teleconference terminal equipment 2001. Besides, as will bedescribed later, a facsimile machine and a small-sized computer can beconnected to the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 as required.

As shown in the figure, the teleconference system of this embodimentfeatures the desktop type teleconference terminal equipment 2001. Owingto the desktop type construction, when the teleconference terminalequipment 2001 is carried in with the control keyboard 2002 and themicrophones 2003, a teleconference can be held in an ordinary conferenceroom or by the use of a mere conference desk.

The teleconference terminal equipment 2001 will now be explained.

FIG. 15 illustrates the external appearance of the teleconferenceterminal equipment 2001 according to this embodiment. Referring to thefigure, numeral 2100 indicates the body of the terminal equipment 2001,numeral 2101 a monitor employing a cathode-ray tube 11 inches in size,numeral 2102 a camera window, numeral 2103 a ringer speaker, and numeral2110 a base. Although not seen in the figure, a speaker window (for aloudspeaker 2104) is provided on the left side of the body 2100, andvarious terminals are provided on the rear surface thereof. A built-incamera is disposed behind the camera window 2102.

Next, FIG. 16A is a side view of the teleconference terminal equipment2001, while FIG. 16B is a sectional view thereof taken along line A1-A2in FIG. 15. Here, mechanisms inside the body 2100 are omitted from theillustrations.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the body 2100 and the base 2110 areconnected by a tilt and swivel mechanism 2121, so that the body 2100 isturnable relative to the base 2110 through predetermined angles in thevertical and horizontal directions. That is, the body 2100 is turnableabout an arbor 2122 through the predetermined angle in the horizontaldirection, and it is turnable along a slot 2123 through thepredetermined angle in the vertical direction. Incidentally, numeral2130 denotes a terminal area where the various input/output terminalsare disposed.

In this embodiment, the camera includes a wide-angle lens of 57°. Byemploying the wide-angle lens for the camera in this manner, a pluralityof users can be simultaneously photographed even when they are a shortdistance away. Accordingly, a plurality of conferees at a conferencedesk on each communicating side, for example, can hold a teleconferencemerely by putting the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 on one endof the conference desk. Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is assumedas standard that several conferees will utilize the teleconferenceterminal equipment 2001 having the 11-inch monitor 2101, at a positionwhich is about 1.5 meters remote from this teleconference terminalequipment.

Thus, the wide-angle lens is set at 57° so that a horizontal width of1.5 meters can be photographed at the aforementioned position. Thewide-angle lens, however, may well be set at any suitable angle,depending upon the size of the screen of the monitor and the serviceconditions of the teleconference terminal equipment. In general, anangle of about 60° will be desirable.

Meanwhile, the control keyboard 2002 should preferably be providedseparately from the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 to enable thesmooth progress of the conference. Alternatively, however, a controlkeyboard may well be provided unitarily with a teleconference terminalequipment.

By way of example, FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate the external appearanceof the teleconference terminal equipment which is unitarily providedwith the control keyboard 2002.

As shown in the figures, in this example, the control keyboard 2002 ismounted on the base 2110 between the body 2100 and this base. Besides,as shown in FIG. 18A, this control keyboard 2002 is mounted on the base2110 by a turning mechanism 2125. Accordingly, it can be housed underthe body 2100 as shown in FIG. 18B while the terminal equipment is notused. Moreover, with such a turnable control keyboard, each of theconferees is easily able to operate the control keyboard during the useof the terminal equipment.

Although the camera is arranged by the side of the cathode-ray tube ineach of the foregoing teleconference terminal equipments of the secondembodiment, it may well be arranged above the cathode-ray tube.

By way of example, FIG. 19 illustrates the external appearance of ateleconference terminal equipment in which the camera is arranged abovethe cathode-ray tube 2101.

Referring to the figure, numeral 2102 indicates a camera window, behindwhich the camera is installed. Numeral 2130 indicates a drawer typehandle which is attached in order to facilitate carrying theteleconference terminal equipment. In this example, loudspeakers 2104are arranged in the front of the teleconference terminal equipment. Alsoin this example, the body 2100 and the base 2110 are connected by aturning mechanism, whereby the teleconference terminal equipment can befreely positioned in the horizontal direction. Incidentally, theteleconference terminal equipment of this example can be operatedthrough a wireless remote control from the control keyboard 2002.

Next, FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate another example of the teleconferenceterminal equipment in which the camera is arranged above the cathode-raytube 2101.

As clearly shown in FIG. 20B, the depthwise dimension of the cameraarranged behind the camera window 2102 is short compared with that ofthe cathode-ray tube 2101. This fact is utilized here in the example,and the part of the teleconference terminal equipment behind the camerawindow 2102 is shortened to form a carrying handle 2131.

Now, the internal construction of the teleconference terminal equipment2001 will be explained.

FIG. 21 shows the internal construction of this teleconference terminalequipment. As shown in the figure, the internal construction of theteleconference terminal equipment according to the second embodiment issubstantially the same as that of the teleconference terminal equipmentaccording to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1before.

Referring to the figure, numeral 2830 indicates a terminal which is tobe connected to the digital communications network. In this embodiment,the digital communications network is assumed to be the ISDN (integratedservice digital network), and the terminal 2830 to be a modular jackhaving eight pins. Besides, the teleconference terminal equipment 2001includes the camera 2807, the monitor 2101, the loudspeaker 2104, avideo switch 2806, a video amplifier 2808, a picture codec 2805, amultimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal controlunit 2804, a network interface and communications network control unit2803, an audio codec 2810, an echo canceler 2811, an audio switch 2813,an audio amplifier 2812, a FAX interface 2814, a data interface 2815, acontrol unit 2802 and a power source 2801.

Included as the external I/O terminals are video I/O interfaces 2816 and2817, audio I/O interfaces 2818 and 2819, a modular jack 2820 for aG3-FAX (group 3 facsimile), an RS232C connector 2821, and a connector2822 for the control keyboard 2002. These connectors and the aboveterminal 2830 are arranged on the rear surface of the teleconferenceterminal equipment 2001 (refer to FIG. 15).

Herein, the network interface and communications network control unit2803 is connected to the ISDN through the connector 2830, and itperforms the communication controls and communication processing betweenthe pertinent teleconference terminal equipment and the network, such asestablishing a communication channel with the opposite communicatingterminal equipment. The multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing andinterterminal signal control unit 2804 performs various controls betweenthe pertinent terminal equipment and the opposite terminal equipment.Besides, this control unit 2804 demultiplexes video data, audio data,data to be multiplexed/demultiplexed, control data, etc. from within areceived communication frame into the individual data types, and itmultiplexes such types of data into a transmission communication frame.The video data mentioned above is interface data on the network side ofthe picture codec 2805, while the audio data is interface data on thenetwork side of the audio codec 2810. The data to bemultiplexed/demultiplexed is interface data with respect to the datainterface 2815 and the FAX interface 2814. The control data istransferred between the control unit 2804 and the control unit 2802.

The multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signalcontrol unit 2804 further demultiplexes the data demultiplexed fromwithin the received communication frame, into G3-FAX data, computerdata, various control data, etc. in accordance with protocols stipulatedwith the opposite transmission terminal equipment beforehand, and itdelivers these data to the G3-FAX modular jack 2820 and RS232C connector2821 through the FAX interface 2814 and data interface 2815,respectively.

Conversely, the control unit 2804 accepts data to be transmitted in amultiplexed state, from the G3-FAX modular jack 2820 and RS232Cconnector 2821.

The camera 2807 picks up an image, and the monitor 2101 presents thedisplay output of a picture corresponding to the image. The video switch2806 supplies the picture codec 2805 with an input from the video signalinput terminal 2816, instead of an input from the camera 2807. Thus, thedocument photographing stand 2004 as well as an external camera and thepicture codec 2805 can be connected to the video input interface 2816.

The picture codec 2805 codes an input picture signal, and delivers theresulting coded signal to the multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing andinterterminal signal control unit 2804. In addition, it decodes videodata demultiplexed from within a received communication frame by thecontrol unit 2804 and then delivers the resulting decoded data to themonitor 2101 and the video output interface 2817. Accordingly, the videotape recorder 2006 can be connected to the video output interface 2817so as to record the contents of the teleconference. Also, an externalmonitor can be connected.

The audio input and output terminals 2818 and 2819 can have the audioinput and outputs of external audio devices connected thereto. The audioswitch 2813 is one by which any of an input from the G3-FAX connected tothe FAX interface 2814, an input from a device connected to the audioinput interface 2819, and an input from the microphones 2003 coupledwith the control keyboard 2002 connected to the connector 2822 istransferred to the audio codec 2810 through the echo canceler 2811.

The audio codec 2810 codes an input speech signal, and delivers theresulting coded signal to the multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing andinterterminal signal control unit 2804. In addition, it decodes audiodata demultiplexed from within a received communication frame by thecontrol unit 2804 and then delivers the resulting decoded data to theloudspeaker 2104 and the audio output interface 2818 through the echocanceler 2811 as well as the audio amplifier 2812. The audio outputinterface 2818 has, for example, the audio input terminal of the videotape recorder 2006 connected thereto. The echo canceler 2811 performs anecho canceling process between the speech signal decoded from the audiodata and the speech signal delivered from the audio switch 2813, therebypreventing the occurrence of howling during communications.Incidentally, the howling may well be prevented by replacing the echocanceler 2811 with an echo suppressor which suppresses a selected one ofthe output from the audio amplifier 2812 or the input to the audioswitch 2813.

The FAX interface 2814 delivers a signal to-be-transmitted supplied fromthe G3-FAX being an analog FAX connected to the G3-FAX modular jack2820, to the audio codec 2810 in the case of treating the FAX data asaudio data, while it digitizes the signal to-be-transmitted into a codeand delivers the code to the multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing andinterterminal signal control unit 2804 in the case of treating the FAXdata as data to-be-multiplexed. Contrariwise, when supplied withreceived data for the G3-FAX by the audio codec 2810, the FAX interface2814 supplies the G3-FAX modular jack 2820 with the received datadirectly, and when supplied with received G3-FAX data by the multimediamultiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit 2804,the FAX interface 2814 decodes the received data into an analog signaland delivers the analog signal to the G3-FAX modular jack 2820.

The RS232C connector 2821 serves as an RS232C interface, and it is aconnector to which a computer, a word processor or an electronicblackboard can be connected. This RS232C connector 2821 is connected tothe control unit 2802 or the multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing andinterterminal signal control unit 2804 through the data interface 2815.

The control unit 2802 performs serial data communications with thecontrol keyboard 2002. Besides, it performs various controls for theconstituents of the teleconference terminal equipment 2001, for example,the display control of a menu picture to be described later, on thebasis of data transferred from the multimediamultiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit 2804and data transferred from the control keyboard 2002.

Meanwhile, the picture codec 2805 codes and decodes pictures inconformity with algorithms stipulated in CCITT Standard, H. 261. Herein,it can be reduced in size by applying recent highly-packaged circuittechnology. A picture codec is implemented with two circuit boards eachhaving a size nearly equal to the A5-format in, for example, acommercially-available video telephone set HV-100 (trade name)manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. In the future, such picture codecs will beincreasingly reduced in size.

Accordingly, the teleconference terminal equipment of this embodimentcan be satisfactorily realized with the dimensions mentioned before inrelation to FIG. 15 and FIGS. 16A and 16B, for the 11-inch cathode-raytube. Moreover, these dimensions afford a size which is suited toinstallation of the terminal equipment on a desk or to carrying.

Next, the control keyboard 2002 will be explained.

FIG. 22 shows the external appearance of the control keyboard 2002. Asshown in the figure, the control keyboard 2002 is in the shape of asector. Various keys are arranged on the upper surface of this controlkeyboard, while terminals 2910 for connecting microphones and alsoterminals for cables for connections with the teleconference terminalequipment 2001 are disposed on the rear surface. Besides, a built-inmicrophone 2920 is arranged in the front of this control keyboard.

The keys disposed on the upper surface of the control keyboard 2002, andfunctions which are designated by these keys will be listed in Tables 1and 2 below:

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Names   Outlines of Functions                                                 ______________________________________                                        START   Transmit func: dialing.                                                       Preset func: Input acknowledging dial.                                REDIAL  Retransmitting to last called address.                                SPD DIAL                                                                              Speedy dialing to registered No. by designating the No.               MUTE    Turning off transmission speech, and transmitting mute.               CANCEL  Deleting last input letter. (Also, ending help.)                      COM     Alternating HOOK states.                                              MENU    Registering, setting and acknowledging TEL directory,                         operation modes, etc.                                                 VIDEO   Non-com. period: Changing-over Auto/Manual picture                            sending.                                                                      Com. period: Requesting for manual picture sending.                   MON/PIP Monitor-displaying transmission picture (coded picture) on                    Whole screen/Minor screen.                                            FREEZE  Freezing input of transmission picture.                               AUDIO   Changing-over transmission speech between handset input               SRC     and external speech input.                                            VIDEO   Changing-over transmission picture between accessory                  SRC     camera input and external video input.                                HELP    Displaying help information on function keys, etc.                    FAX     Connecting FAX and TEL circuit for transmission/                              reception.                                                            DATA    Turning ON/OFF RS232C port for data com. between both                         terminal equipments.                                                  TELE ↑                                                                          Zooming out built-in camera. (Hard)                                   WIDE ↓                                                                         Zooming in built-in camera. (Hard)                                    VOL ↑                                                                           Increasing sound volume of loudspeaker. (Hard)                        VOL ↓                                                                          Decreasing sound volume of loudspeaker. (Hard)                        ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Names    Outlines of Functions                                                ______________________________________                                        CURSOR ↑                                                                         Spare, tilt ↑.                                                 CURSOR ↓                                                                        Spare, tilt ↓.                                                CURSOR →                                                                        Spare, pan →.                                                 CURSOR ←                                                                          Spare, pan ←.                                                   PIC Q SEL                                                                              Changing-over quality of transmission picture in 3                            stages (STD/FAST/DETAIL).                                            HS       Changing-over loudspeaker and handset.                               LOC/RMT  Changing-over LOCAL/REMOTE for panning, tilting,                              zooming or focusing control.                                         ______________________________________                                    

Typical keys will be explained. In FIG. 22, numeral 2901 indicates avolume control for controlling the sound volume of the loudspeaker 2104built in the teleconference terminal equipment 2001. Numeral 2902indicates keys for controlling the zooming functions of the camera 2807.Denoted by numeral 2903 are numerical-keys and function keys which serveto control the communication functions of the teleconference terminalequipment 2001, and which are equivalent to those of an ISDN terminalequipment. In this embodiment, however, the numerical-keys are sharedwith alphabet keys. Keys 2904 serve to control a pan-tilter which issometimes installed for the camera 2807 of the teleconference terminalequipment 2001. Besides, keys 2905 serve to change-over the picturequalities of pictures to-be-transmitted, a key 2906 serves tochange-over the input of the built-in camera 2807 of the teleconferenceterminal equipment 2001 and the input of the external camera set on, forexample, the document photographing stand 2004 as a transmissionpicture, and keys 2907 and 2908 serve to change-over transmission datafrom video or audio data to input data from the facsimile machine andsmall-sized computer connected to the teleconference terminal equipment2001, respectively. Further, indicators, such as an LED 2909 forindicating the connection of the power supply, are provided on the uppersurface of the control keyboard 2002.

FIGS. 23A and 23B show the internal construction of the control keyboard2002.

As shown in FIG. 23A, the control keyboard 2002 includes a switchingregulator 3001 by which a supply voltage fed from the teleconferenceterminal equipment 2001 is distributed to the individual parts of thiscontrol keyboard, key switches 3002 which constitute the various keysstated before, and LED's 3003. In addition, it includes a CPU 3007 whichcontrols the key switches 3002 and the LED's 3003 while performing theserial data communications with the teleconference terminal equipment2001 by the use of data clock pulses supplied from this teleconferenceterminal equipment. Also included are the built-in microphone 2920, themicrophone jacks 2910 for connecting the external microphones 2003, amicrophone mixer 3005 for mixing an input from the built-in microphone2920 and inputs from the external microphones 2003, and the volumecontrol 2901 for adjusting the sound volume of the loudspeaker of theteleconference terminal equipment 2001. Shown at numeral 3006 areterminals for cables 3010 which lead to the teleconference terminalequipment 2001.

As seen from the figures, the connections between this control keyboard2002 and the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 are collectivelyeffected by the single composite cable 3010. Besides, an output from themicrophone mixer 3005 is sent to the teleconference terminal equipment2001 through a transformer of 600 ohms by the use of a shielded cable3011 which is disposed within the composite cable 3010 as shown in FIG.23B.

Next, the document photographing stand 2004 will be explained.

FIG. 24 shows the external appearance of the document photographingstand 2004.

Roughly speaking, the document photographing stand 2004 is constructedof a work surface 3101, a lower link 3102, an upper link 3103 and thecamera 3104. Besides, an LED 3105 is embedded in the central part of theplaten 3101 to-be-photographed, and camera controlling keys 3106 aredisposed at one corner of the work surface 3101. The camera controllingkeys 3106 include zooming control keys (wide angle/telescopic), anautofocusing function enabling key and a manual focusing controlling keyfor the camera 3104.

The lower link 3102 is pivotally mounted on the work surface 3101, theupper link 3103 is pivotally mounted on the lower link 3102, and thecamera 3104 is pivotally mounted on the upper link 3103. Thus, thecamera 3104 can photograph, not only a document set on the work surface3101, but also spaces before and behind the work surface 3101.Accordingly, when the blackboard 2005 is arranged behind the worksurface 3101 as shown in FIG. 14 referred to before, characters,patterns etc. written and drawn on this blackboard can be photographedand transmitted except during the photographing of the document.

The LED 3105 embedded in the central part of the work surface 3101serves to facilitate the positioning of the document to-be-photographed.More specifically, when an illuminator is provided in this manner, thecentral point of photographing can be readily established using thetransmitted light even for paper or the like which is placed on the worksurface 3101 for photographing. Herein, LED's may well be disposed atthe four corners of a photographing region on the work surface 3101 fora document of standard size (for example, A4-format or B5-format). Owingto the transmitted light beams of such LED's, the desired region of adocument larger than the standard size can be established andphotographed more easily than with a conventional work surface on whichthe four corners are marked.

In the drawings, FIGS. 25A and 25B are a side view and a rear view,respectively, of the document photographing stand 2004.

As shown in FIG. 25A, the length l of the lower link 3102 is set so asnot to exceed the length L of the work surface 3101, and the length m ofthe upper link 3103 is set so as to be shorter than the length l of thelower link 3102. Besides, as shown in FIG. 25B, the width N between boththe arms of the lower link 3102 is set greater than the width n betweenboth the arms of the upper link 3103. Accordingly, as seen from a frontview, a side view and a plan view depicted in FIGS. 38A, 38B and 38C,respectively, the lower link 3102 can be folded onto the work surface3101, and the upper link 3103 can be folded inside the lower link 3102.Thus, the document photographing stand 2004 can be carried or stored ina compact state.

Alternatively, the document photographing stand 2004 may well beconstructed as illustrated in FIGS. 26A, 26B and 26C.

FIG. 26A shows the state in which the stand 2004 is carried or stored.FIGS. 26B and 26C show the situation in which an upper link 3103 isturned relative to a lower link 3102. Numeral 3301 indicates stoppers torestrict the turning.

Further, the document photographing stand 2004 may well be constructedin a simpler form as illustrated in FIG. 27.

The example shown in FIG. 27 is configured of a work surface 3101, acamera 3104 and a single link 3401. The link 3401 can be lengthened andshortened by a slide mechanism, and the camera 3104 is connected to thelink 3401 so as to be freely turnable relative to this link.

Finally, the man-machine interface of the teleconference system will beexplained. During a teleconference, the received picture of the oppositecommunicating side is usually displayed on the screen of the monitor2101. When the monitor/PIP key of the control keyboard 2002 statedbefore is depressed, the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 presentsa minor frame at the right corner of the monitor 2101 and displays theself-picture thereof photographed by its own camera 2807, as illustratedin FIG. 28. Further, when the monitor/PIP key is depressed in thisstate, the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 displays theself-picture on the whole monitor screen, and when the key is depressedagain, the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 brings the screen backinto the usual state and displays the picture of the oppositecommunicating side on the whole monitor screen. Such apicture-in-picture display process has been described in connection withthe first embodiment, and shall not be detailed here.

In addition, the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 guidesoperations and reports current statuses by the use of the display of themonitor 2101.

FIG. 29 illustrates the situations of the operation guidance and statusreport utilizing the monitor 2101.

Letter a in FIG. 29 denotes the display of the monitor 2101 uponconnection of the power supply. The current time is indicated at theleft upper corner part of the display screen of the monitor 2101.

When the start key of the control keyboard 2002 is depressed in thisstate, the monitor display is changed as shown at b in FIG. 29, and amessage promoting for a dial input is indicated. Subsequently, when thenumerals of the telephone No. of the opposite communicating side for theteleconference are input with the numerical-keys of the control keyboard2002, they are successively indicated as shown at c in FIG. 29. Next,when the start key is depressed again by the operator of the controlkeyboard 2002 upon acknowledging the indicated telephone No., theteleconference terminal equipment 2001 establishes a channel with theISDN to transmit the input No., and it presents a display to indicatethat it is calling the opposite terminal as shown at d in FIG. 29. Then,when communications with the opposite terminal have begun, only theelapsed time since the beginning of communication is indicated as shownat e in FIG. 29.

On the other hand, in a case where a signal or ringing arrives at theteleconference terminal equipment 2001 during a non-communicatingperiod, a display to the effect that the signal has arrived is presentedtogether with the telephone No. of the transmitting source as shown at fin FIG. 29.

Moreover, the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 according to thisembodiment offers other various functions in a menu form.

FIG. 30 illustrates menus which are displayed on the monitor 2101.

When the menu key among the control keys is depressed when the powersupply is connected or during the communications, that is, in thedisplay state shown at a or e in FIG. 29, the main menu shown at a inFIG. 30 is displayed.

In the menu a in FIG. 30, patterns are icons which are provided incorrespondence with the offered functions. The icon 3701 serves to starta telephone directory function, the icon 3702 serves to start thefunction of setting any of the various statuses of the teleconferenceterminal equipment 2001 such as the communication mode and display modethereof, the icon 3703 serves to start the function of adjusting thetime of a timepiece built into the teleconference terminal equipment2001, the icon 3705 serves to start the function of handling informationitems (opposite communicating sides, telephone Nos, fees, etc.) on pastcommunications, and the icon 3706 serves to select whether or not thetime displays shown in FIG. 29 are presented. Besides, the icon 3704serves to end the menu. The respective icons are displayed in anarrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the numerals 1˜6 of thenumerical-keys of the control keyboard 2002, and the depression of thekey at the corresponding position starts the function which is offeredby the pertinent icon.

By way of example, when the telephone directory function is started bydepressing the numerical-key "1", a menu as shown at b in FIG. 30 isdisplayed. More specifically, the same pattern as the icon havingstarted this function is indicated at the uppermost part, and the namesand telephone Nos. of the opposite communicating persons alreadyregistered are indicated in an area 3711. The user scrolls theindication within the area 3711 by designating an icon 3713 or 3714through the depression of the numerical-key at the correspondingposition and then appoints the opposite communicating person whoseinformation is to be handled, by designating a select icon 3715 throughthe depression of the numerical-key at the corresponding position. Anicon 3716 is used for returning to the menu picture a in FIG. 30.

Here, when the select icon 3715 is designated, a menu shown at c in FIG.30 is displayed. The patterns of the icon which has started thecorresponding function and the icon which was indicated at the uppermostpart of the parent menu of this menu are indicated at the uppermostpart, and all information items registered for the selectedcommunicating person are indicated in an area 3721. A TEL icon 3722serves to designate a transmission to the opposite communicating personindicated in the area 3721. When the numerical-key corresponding to thisicon is depressed, the teleconference terminal equipment 2001 calls theselected communicating person in accordance with the registeredinformation and ends the menu processing steps, to shift to the displayshown at d in FIG. 29. An icon 3724 in the menu c in FIG. 30 serves toalter the registered information by way of example. More specifically,when the numerical-key corresponding to this icon is depressed, thefunction of, for example, altering the registered information isindicated, and a new menu corresponding to the function is displayed. Inthe new menu, necessary input functions are similarly assigned to thekeys of the control keyboard 2002 so as to accept the user's inputs ofinformation. Herein, by way of example, alternatives to an inputcharacter are sequentially changed-over in accordance with apredetermined input key. Moreover, the conversion of inputs into Chinesecharacters can be realized by extending the function of a predeterminedinput key.

Meanwhile, in a case where the register icon 3702 has been designated inthe main menu a in FIG. 30, a menu shown at d in FIG. 30 is displayed.In this menu d in FIG. 30, the current statuses of the teleconferenceterminal equipment 2001 are indicated in an area 3731. The userdesignates any indicated item and also designates an alter icon 3732 inaccordance with steps similar to those of the operation of the menu b inFIG. 30, whereby the status of the designated item can be changed toanother alternative registered beforehand.

In this regard, in a case where the teleconference terminal equipment2001 has been called amidst such a hierarchic menu process, a display tothe effect that a signal or ringing has arrived is presented in an area3733.

For reference, FIG. 31A thru FIG. 38C in the accompanying drawingsillustrate the six views, etc. concerning the teleconference terminalequipment 2001 depicted in FIG. 15, the control keyboard 2002 depictedin FIG. 22 and the document photographing stand 2004 depicted in FIG.24.

FIGS. 31A, 31B, 31C and 31D are a front view, a rear view, a plan viewand a bottom view, respectively, of the teleconference terminalequipment 2001. The terminals 2816˜2822 and 2830 are disposed in thearea 2130 shown in FIG. 31B. FIGS. 32A and 32B are a right side view anda left side view, respectively, of the teleconference terminal equipment2001. Numeral 2104 in FIG. 32B indicates the position of the built-inloudspeaker.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the control keyboard 2002. Numeral 2920in this figure indicates the position of the built-in microphone. Inaddition, FIGS. 34A, 34B and 34C are a front view, a plan view and abottom view, respectively, of the control keyboard 2002. Besides, FIGS.35A, 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E and 35F are a right side view of the controlkeyboard 2002, a left side view thereof, a rear view thereof, aschematic sectional view thereof taken along line A-A' in FIG. 34A, aschematic sectional view thereof taken along line B-B' in FIG. 34B, anda schematic sectional view thereof taken along line C-C' in FIG. 34B,respectively. In FIG. 35C, numeral 2910 represents the terminals forconnecting the external microphones.

Next, FIGS. 36A, 36B, 36C and 36D are a front view, a right side view, aplan view and a bottom view, respectively, of the document photographingstand 2004. In addition, FIGS. 37A and 37B are a rear view and a leftside view, respectively, of the stand 2004.

As referred to before, FIGS. 38A, 38B and 38C are the front view, theside view and the plan view, respectively, of the document photographingstand 2004 in the stored condition. As shown in these figures, the stand2004 has its constituents folded up into a compact form.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possibleto provide the desktop type teleconference terminal equipment which issmall in size and which is easily portable.

What is claimed is:
 1. An equipment for a teleconference comprising:animage input apparatus; an image display apparatus coupled at least tothe image input apparatus; a communication control apparatus coupled atleast to the image display apparatus; a key console apparatus coupled tothe communication control apparatus; a telephone control apparatuscoupled to the communication control apparatus; and an image codeccoupled to the image input apparatus, the image display apparatus andthe communication control apparatus; wherein the display apparatusenables simultaneous display of a received image at one portion of thedisplay apparatus and an input image at another portion of the displayapparatus and enables reversal of the portion of the received image andthe input image so that the input image is displayed at the one portionof the display apparatus and the received image is simultaneouslydisplayed at the other portion of the display apparatus.
 2. An equipmentfor a teleconference according to claim 1, wherein input image isdisplayed in one of a normal image, mirror image, and a point symmetryimage rotated by 180°.
 3. An equipment for a teleconference according toclaim 1, wherein the display apparatus is responsive to key operation ofthe key console apparatus for enabling reverse of the portion of thereceived image and input image.